Eyecare professionals are reminding folks about healthy vision as optometry practices and eyecare centers reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For eyecare professionals, every day is an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of eye health, especially during Healthy Vision Month.

The National Eye Institute, which established the national eye health observance in May 2003, usually utilizes Healthy Vision Month as a way to encourage people to prevent vision problems by wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays and eat eye-healthy foods, such as carrots and dark leafy greens, like spinach or kale. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic they’ve decided to move Healthy Vision Month to July this year. But this hasn’t stopped eyecare practices and professionals from taking to social media to encourage their followers to take charge of their eye health.

Many ECPs are also using social media to announce their reopenings as well as some of the protocols they are implementing to ensure their patient’s safety, which include limiting contact between patients and staff in offices, waiting rooms, and exam rooms. Some eye doctors are also seeing patients via virtual visits.

1. Dr. Joyce Wong, OD, announced that her office in El Paso, Texas, will reopen on May 12. Image via Dr. Joyce Wong on Instagram

2. Eap Optometry in Long Beach, California shared an image of some of the safety measures the practice is taking to ensure a safe reopening. Image via Eap Optometry on Instagram

3. University Eye Center in New York, New York offers virtual health options so patients can receive eyecare in a safe, no-contact way. Image via University Eye Center on Instagram

4. Precision Eye Group in Bloomington, Indiana announced they are seeing patients on a limited schedule and announced some of the steps the practice is taking to protect its patients and staff. Image via Precision Eye Group on Instagram

5. Dr. Jen Wademan took a break from planning for the reopening of her Folsom, California-based office to share a motivating post for her followers. Image via Dr. Jen Wademan on Instagram

6. New Jersey-based Mack Eye Center, with offices in Oakhurst and Brick, announced they’re open for emergency visits only. The center also added slit lamp shields to their equipment to protect patients and Dr. Mack during exams. Image via Mack Eye Center on Instagram

7. Dr. Candria Krywko posted a photo of her and her colleague’s first days back to work at their practice, Eyes on Hayden, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Image via Dr. Candria Krywko on Instagram

8. Dr. Selin Khayatan said she is now scheduling routine appointments at Visual Expressions Optometry in Danville, California. Image via Visual Expressions Optometry on Instagram